Bucolic briefs
Franklin County Cooperative Extension is hosting its annual Five-County Beef Tour June 11, with stops in Franklin, Granville, Vance, Wake and Warren counties. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the cooperative extension office in Louisburg. Tour stops will focus on pasture management using poultry litter, direct marketing of grass-fed beef, social media use, summer forages, breeding and nutrition for a top quality Angus and a new Conservation Stewardship grazing program. The tour conclude with a lunch program with beef industry updates from Bryan Blinson, executive director of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Contact Martha Mobley with Franklin County extension, at 919-496-3344 or email at martha_mobley@ncsu.edu to preregister by June 8, or for questions. A tour brochure can be downloaded at http://franklin.ces.ncsu.edu.
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Back Country Horsemen of Uwharrie will hold work days Sept. 19 and Nov. 14. The group meets at 9 a.m. in the Canebrake Horse Camp in the Badin Lake Recreation Area near Troy. The group also holds chapter meetings May 11, June 8, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, and Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. The meetings will be held at Best Foods Cafeteria, 220 E. 11th St., Siler City. Back Country Horsemen of Uwharrie is a non-profit organization and chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of North Carolina and America. The website is www.bchUwharrie.com.
The Back Country Horsemen of Uwharrie works in alliance with other chapters across North Carolina, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service to ensure that forests will be available for equestrian use. Its main focus is on ensuring the Uwharrie National Forest will remain a place that can be enjoyed by all equestrian enthusiasts. Members of the BCHU volunteer their time and resources to maintain trails.
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As a way to help farmers and agricultural workers stay safe at work, the N.C. Department of Labor offers safety videos on a variety of topics through its YouTube channel. Video topics include: preventing green tobacco sickness, hazard communication, tobacco harvester safety, heat stress, migrant housing requirements, forklift safety, and information about the NCDOL’s Gold Star Growers program. The videos are in English and Spanish to increase understanding of safety hazards and preventing accidents. To learn more about the NCDOL and the Agricultural Safety and Health Bureau, go to www.nclabor.com or call 1-800-NC-LABOR (800-625-2267). NCDOL is also on Facebook and Twitter (@NCDOL).
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Beekeepers with bees for rent and growers interested in bee pollination services can post their information on the BeeLinked website at www.ncagr.com/beelinked. The site is hosted by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the N.C. State University Apiculture Program. Anyone interested in listing their information can do so by filling out an online Submit Your Ad form on the BeeLinked page or by contacting NCDA&CS at 919-233-8214 or by email at NCHoneybee@ncagr.gov or call NCSU at 919-515-1660. The NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division regulates the movement of agricultural or related items capable of spreading harmful insects, diseases, and other pests. Beekeepers participating in this program will be required to comply with all honey and bee industry regulations.
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